The trend today is to get bigger and be a one stop shop. If you make labels, then you should also offer displays, foldout labels, bar code equipment, forms, offset printing, cartons, software and you may even offer to package the end customer's products.

   We have taken a different approach. We have learned from you that bigger isn't necessary better. That personalized attention to detail and a strong knowledge of a particular niche is an unbeatable combination.

   Our goal is to maintain our small, but tightly knit production staff that really understands what you need. For example, we don't use a lot of voicemail. We think answering the phones in a friendly, ready to go manner is very important. While we have individual email boxes, we have found our customers like the jhbertrand@aol.com team email because they know that more than one person is always reading the email ready to respond. Today, the competitive advantage is the "little" things that you do to make your company more personal and more customized to each person who buys from you.

   One of the best things our company offers you is our "sense of urgency". When you give us an order, you can forget about it. You don't have to chase us or pester us. You don't have to worry about whether it's going to get done or not. It will. Meeting Deadlines is everything to us. If you need references to this fact, we will be more than happy to give you a few. How much time, energy and money does this save? Nobody ever puts this on a spread sheet, but it saves a lot. There are many good label manufacturers out there, but how many really put a lot of effort into "on time" delivery. I can promise you that we do. How much do labels really cost when you don't get them on time? Somebody should do a study on that one!!!

   Focus allows us to understand our products and how they relate to you. For example, we aren't going to suggest to you a "foldout" label when a "Data-Necker" (neck hanger) may be the solution. We know this because we probably have many other clients who are having the same problem. If we had 500 unrelated products, it would be tough for us to be good advisors.

    You can still one stop shop with JH Bertrand, but in a different way. If you are having "copy fitting" issues with your products, then we have dozens of ways to get the job done…everything from foldout labels to pamphlets with double coated tape. If you want to do "on product" promotions or find ways to fit regulatory and multilingual copy, then you won't find a company more skilled in solving these problems. However, if you are looking to buy forms, annual reports, thermal transfer printers, and get your product packaged at JH Bertrand, then we can't help you. We know focus is a major competitive advantage. We know a lot of companies who are merging are going to find that out the hard way.

    We promise you that your friends at JH Bertrand will continue to maintain a highly focused company that will never lose it roots in being friendly, personal and doggedly detailed.

    Thank you so much for your business and your future purchases. We sincerely appreciate every order you have placed!

Sincerely,

Jeff Bertrand

please email at jhbertrand@aol.com with your comments on this idea.